Mumbai: On Thursday, the Bombay High Court mandated the immersion of all idols measuring up to six feet in artificial tanks, commencing with the 10-day Ganesh festival that begins on August 27 this year.

This order will remain in effect until March of the following year for festivals that necessitate the immersion of deity idols, including those crafted from Plaster of Paris (PoP).

“The court aims to minimize the environmental impact of idol immersion. Hence, idols up to six feet must be immersed in artificial water tanks,” stated a bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne.

Additionally, the high court instructed the state government to ensure that its policy regarding idol immersion is implemented in both letter and spirit.

All local authorities are required to guarantee that idols, not exceeding six feet in height, are immersed in artificial water bodies, as per the bench’s directive.

The high court also requested the government to establish an expert committee tasked with recommending methods for recycling the PoP material used in idol creation. This committee should also investigate scientific approaches to ensure that idols can be dissolved in an environmentally friendly way.

The ruling was issued while the court was considering a series of petitions advocating for the enforcement of the revised guidelines set forth by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) concerning PoP idols.